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Reason is the human capacity for thinking in a reasonable way with intent to produce good judgement. The following are common types of reason.Deductive ReasonDeductive reason begins with a hypothesis and seeks to confirm it with evidence. This is a basis for science, logic and basic thought processes such as learning by trial and error. For example, an child who thinks a word might be bad so they use it to see what happens.
Inductive ReasonInductive reason is a bottom up approach that begins with evidence and works towards a conclusion. Inductive reason is a formal process that doesn't allow for guesses. For example, an investigation into an aircraft accident that only develops a theory when ample evidence has been collected and analyzed.Abductive ReasonAbductive reason is the same as inductive reason except that it allows for informal guesses that can then be confirmed with deductive reason. For example, a marketing team that looks for evidence to explain a decrease in customer demand that finds evidence that a popular competitor is eating into their business.
HeuristicsHeuristics are practical guesses that are made to handle uncertainty, grey areas, complexity and fast moving situations. For example, a driver who sees a blurry image out of the corner of their eye who guesses it could be a bicycle headed into their path such that they quickly apply the brakes of their vehicle. Intuitive Reason Intuitive reason is a term for natural thought processes that aren't systematized. This can include emotion, logic and heuristics. For example, a flight attendant who instantly feels that a bout of turbulence is likely to be bad.
Verbal ReasonThe process of thinking with words. This is a primary type of human thought, such that language tends to impact how you think. For example, learning a second language can transform an individual's worldview.Humans can understand and think with pictures. For example, a graph or chart is often easier to understand than raw data.
ImaginationImagination is the human ability to think about things in ways that differ from reality. This is a powerful tool of reason. For example, a thought experiment or analogy that allows for the simplification of a complex problem.Motivated ReasoningMotivated reasoning is the pervasive tendency for motivation to color thought. For example, seeking evidence for what you want to believe as opposed to objectively evaluating all evidence.
FallaciesFallacies are patterns of failed logic that commonly taint reasoning. These can be remarkably difficult to identify such that reason benefits from a process of critical peer review and debate.Cold LogicCold logic is reason that fails to consider human factors such as emotion, language, culture, rights, freedoms, quality of life and the human experience. For example, an company that designs an alternative to high speed rail without any thought to the customer experience such that is incredibly bumpy with passengers becoming fearful and sick even at low speeds.|
Type | | Definition (1) | The human capacity for thinking in a reasonable way with intent to produce good judgement. | Definition (2) | An argument that supports a theory, decision, strategy or position.. | Related Concepts | |
Thinking
This is the complete list of articles we have written about thinking.
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Rational thought is often somewhat logical but includes factors such as emotion, imagination, culture, language and social conventions.
The definition of benefit of doubt with examples.
The definition of intrapersonal with examples.
The definition of introspection with examples.
The definition of paradox with examples.
The definition of abstract concept with examples.
An overview of logical arguments with examples.
The definition of rational choice theory with examples.
The definition of reflective thinking with examples.
A list of thinking approaches and types.
An overview of nostalgia with examples.
The definition of skepticism with examples.
The definition of abstract thinking with examples.
The principles of positive thinking.
A list of common emotions.
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